Leadership lessons to learn as Gov. Buni honours predecessors, by Yusuf Ali
In an age when, and a place where leaders despise their predecessors and the art of claiming credit for everything, where sense of pride in power seem to have become the order of the day, Governor Mai Mala Buni has, lately, demonstrated that there can be light amidst the ‘darkness’ that pervades high places in the land.
It’s amazing, Gov. Buni invited President Muhammadu Buhari to commission landmark projects executed by his administration. He used the occasion to honour past and present leaders for their great contributions in making the state proud by naming the projects after them.
He named the Cargo International Airport after President Muhammadu Buhari, the Modern Market after Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, the Housing Estate after Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim and the Maternal and Child Healthcare Complex after late Mamman B. Ali to immortalised him.
Gov. Buni recorded great strides in just three and half years. There are over 375 projects spread across Yobe State. With all he did, he did not name anything after himself like other people did. Instead, he named the projects after his lredecessors to honour them as a way of recognising excellence.
This act is very unusual in this clime; it is uncommon in this polity; it is indeed a breath of fresh air to see a holder of high office in recent times reject an opportunity to massage his ego like most politicians do.
President Buhari while commissioning the Cargo International Airport named after him expressed joy over the gesture. “It is my singular honour and privilege to commission this project which is named after me”, Buhari said.
Former governors, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam and Bukar Abba Ibrahim were all full of gratitude as the Gov. Buni described them as selfless leaders, who were passionate about the development of the state and the nation before him.
Senator Mamman B. Ali will be the happiest person in his grave when Governor Buni heaped praises and prayers on many of his good works. “We cannot talk about the transformation of Yobe without talking about Mamman Ali. He really did well, especially in the area of infrastructural development. I believe that some completed projects should be named after him. May his soul rest in perfect peace”, Governor Buni said.
Such is Governor Buni’s leadership, one that has rise above self-praised egocentrism, megalomania and vainglory. Character, modesty, simplicity and trustworthiness are characteristics of true leadership; Gov. Buni wisely recognises and lives by values that endure.
When the governor refused vehemently to take any credit for all his good works but instead chose to give all the credit to his predecessors, he demonstrated his rejection of sycophancy, eye service, and false adulation – acts that, sadly, are prevalent and widely accepted among our political class.
This is a leadership lesson we urge on all persons in position of trust. It will not only serve the common good, it will, on the long run, be accounted to the leader for righteousness.
Yusuf Ali is the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Digital & Strategic Communications to Governor Mai Mala Buni.
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